As these two European behemoths prepared for battle once again, Luis Enrique drew comparisons with the rivalry between tennis legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, describing how the duo brought the best out of each other.
In tennis terminology, PSG arrived in Bavaria having won the first set and quickly rubber-stamped their authority here with a third-minute opener.
It was a goal of sublime simplicity, as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia latched on to Fabian Ruiz’s precise defence-splitting pass and teed up Ousmane Dembele to fire a clinical first-time effort into the roof of the net.
Bayern’s wingers looked to take centre stage in a bid to erase that two-goal aggregate deficit, with Luis Diaz and Michael Olise both seeing their attempts rise over the bar.
Vincent Kompany’s side were starting to pose a few questions of the PSG defence, and the Belgian was left incensed on the touchline after his side were denied a penalty when Vitinha’s attempted clearance hit Joao Neves’ arm in the box.
Neves looked to rub salt in those wounds moments later, forcing Manuel Neuer into a fine save to parry away his header at the far post from Vitinha’s deep free-kick.
Neuer’s opposite number, Matvey Safonov, made a superb save of his own with half-time approaching, pushing away Jamal Musiala’s driven effort at the end of an absorbing first half.
The Parisians remained resolute in their shape after the break to contain a Bayern side politely knocking on the door rather than hammering on it repeatedly.
Luis Enrique’s team still carried a potentially devastating threat on the counter-attack, though, and Neuer was the busier of the two keepers after making further fine saves to deny Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue.
This wasn’t PSG at their swashbuckling attacking best, but Enrique’s side were showing a hardened defensive solidity against the normally free-scoring Bavarians, and it was enough to send them through to another UCL final in ultimately convincing fashion.
Harry Kane ensured the hosts the final word on the night when he unleashed an unstoppable left-footed strike past Safonov to score his 14th UCL goal of the season, but that proved to be a mere consolation.
A winner-takes-all clash against Arsenal in Budapest now awaits the Parisians, with Enrique set to manage in his third UCL final as a coach after leading PSG to glory last year and Barcelona in 2015.
Meanwhile, Bayern’s hopes of reaching a 12th European Cup final were left in tatters, having now failed to progress from any of their last six two-legged semi-finals in this competition after just a second defeat in 30 UCL home games.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Willian Pacho (PSG)
